I enjoy Box's novels about Wyoming, but this one doesn't come up to its usual standards. The ending seemed cobbled together, as though written hurriedly under deadline. ( )

6th in the Joe Pickett series

Unfortunately, this installment does not make it to the standard that Box has set with his previous novels in the series. Box’s plotting is always workmanlike—not outstanding but good. However, he generates much of the tension in his novels by putting Joe’s family in danger; he does it again with this book, and it’s a tired-out device.

There are two things that lift this series above the average: Box’s exploration of New West issues, such as environmentalism and land and wildlife management, and his lyrical descriptions of the Wyoming high country.

There is an issue here—the passing on of large family ranches in the third generation. And while that’s central to the plot, it isn’t of riveting an interest as his treatment of other issues has been.

But as usual, he comes through with his ability to pass on to the reader his love of and feel for waking up in the morning to a spectacular sunrise, what happens during too much rain too soon, the beauty of the high mountains. It’s a real gift and more than compensates for his rather ordinary prose in other respects.

However, keeping the interest going: box introduces the new governor of Wyoming, a definite iconoclast whose very personal way of being governor is absolutely fascinating. He’s so well done as a character, that I am going to look up the current, real Wyoming governor to see if Box has based his fictional one on the real thing. If not—Governor Rulon is a great addition to the book and to the series.

This is not a book I would recommend on its own merits; I think it’s only valuable to those fans of the series who want to keep up with Joe and what is happening in his (and Box’s) beloved Wyoming. ( )

another one of those "lucky you" if you have not read the seris ( )

Winner of the Anthony Award, Prix Calibre 38 (France), the Macavity Award, the Gumshoe Award, the Barry Award, and an Edgar Award and (Whew!) L.A. Times Book Prize Finalist, CJ Box’s newest Joe Pickett mystery hit the New York Times bestseller list.

Our Cheyenne, Wyoming author created a character who tries to do the right thing, be a good husband, father and man yielding common sense and his game warden badge. His stories revolve around the life of Joe Pickett, his job and his family, possibly similar to Box’s own experiences traveling, fishing, hiking, working as a ranch hand, a surveyor and a newspaper man.

The series starts with Open Season, Savage Run, Winter Kill, Trophy Hunt, Out of Range and his newest award winner: Free Fire. In Free Fire, Joe has been fired from his job as game warden, and the politics are daunting. The Wyoming governor is faced with public critisism with the murders of four campers in Yellowstone by an attorney. Something profitable and dangerous is going on in Yellowstone so the governor offers Joe his badge if he will investigate without credentials.

Look for the next Joe Pickett mystery Blue Heaven in 2008. ( )